Rock Creek Regional Park

Rock Creek Regional Park Playground Closed For Renovations

The playground in Picnic Area #3 is closed as part of the Playground Renovation Program

The playground at Rock Creek Regional Park Picnic Area #3 is closed in order to make improvements. The renovation work is a part of the Playground Renovation Program to replace playgrounds that are at the end of their life cycle. This project will renovate the area, improve access and replace the existing playground. (more…)

Update: Rock Creek Regional Park Archery Range Closed to Public

UPDATE: Improvement project will now close the entire area this September

NOTICE UPDATE: Montgomery Parks will close the Rock Creek Regional Park Archery Range to the public starting in late September. Improvements and modifications to the overall access of the archery range will require the area to be inaccessible to the public. Work will continue through the fall, weather permitting.

Rock Creek Regional Park stretches across approximately 1,800 acres and includes the beautiful 75-acre Lake Needwood and the picturesque 55-acre Lake Frank. Enjoy all the the park has to offer by meandering along 13 miles of trails through woodlands and along the lake shores, or go picnicking, fishing, or boating while viewing the many species of resident wildlife. You can reserve picnic shelters by contacting the Park Permits Office. Other park amenities include playgrounds, Needwood Boat Rental and Snack Bar, Meadowside Nature Center, and lake tours on the Needwood Queen.

Tips for Visitors

Help us make your visit as enjoyable as possible by adhering to the following recommendations:

The park offers multiple entrances. Please check which entrance will take you directly to the area of the park you plan to visit.

Buses entering the park require access permits, which the Park Permits Office issues. The park does not permit buses during weekends.

County and park rules require that dogs be kept on a leash at all times.

Boating and Fishing

Lake Needwood Boat Shop

Park visitors can rent canoes, rowboats, and pedal boats or tour on the Needwood Queen pontoon boat between May and September. The boat shop also includes a snack bar. Visitors can launch hand-carried boats, and the park offers mooring. For more information on boat rentals, passes for private boats, and fishing, please view the complete Lake Needwood Boat Shop information.

Facilities

Meadowside Nature Center

5100 Meadowside Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20855
301-258-4030

The Meadowside Nature Center provides interpretive programs on the natural and cultural history of the area through exhibits, workshops, naturalist-led programs, camps, and hikes. Please contact the nature center for hours of operation and complete program information.

Picnic Shelters

The park offers 18 picnic shelters, each accommodating up to 40 people.The shelters feature grills and access to playgrounds, trails, archery ranges, and other facilities.

Trails

Experience nature and wildlife while hiking over 13 miles of scenic trails at the park. Natural surface trails cover the Lake Needwood and Lake Frank areas. The Rock Creek Hiker/Biker Trail, an asphalt surface, extends to the District of Columbia line. For maps and trail information, visit Rock Creek Trails.

Archery Range

Located across from picnic area #3 on Beach Drive, the archery range provides sheltered target standards with measured shooting positions for 20 to 100 yards. The park offers the range on a first-come, first-served basis during normal park hours. The park permits archers to use field points only, and they must provide their own targets.

Go Ape

Go Ape is a highly interactive treetop adventure that spans across six acres and features various obstacles, including five zip lines, Tarzan swings, rope ladders, bridges, and trapezes. The course takes two to three hours to complete and caters to all skill levels. Looking for a fun and exciting outdoor adventure? Try Go Ape.

Needwood Golf Course

6724 Needwood Road
Rockville, Maryland 20855
301-948-1075

The Montgomery County Revenue Authority operates the Needwood Golf Course. For more information, click here.

Last Updated: December 6, 2018

Hours

Sunrise to sunset, year round. Operational hours of other facilities within the park will vary; please check listings for each facility.

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